Samuel Atta Akyea, a Private legal practitioner, has replaced Andy Appiah-Kubi as counsel for Ashanti Regional NPP Chairman Bernard Antwi-Boasiako, popularly known as Chairman Wontumi.
Reports suggest the change in legal representation was announced when Chairman Wontumi appeared before the Accra High Court on Monday, July 27.
Atta Akyea, addressing the court, told Judge Andy Appiah-Kubi, had withdrawn his services and that he would now represent Chairman Wontumi and his company, Wontumi Farms Limited.
“Andy Appiah-Kubi has withdrawn his legal services for Chairman Wontumi and his company, Wontumi Farms Limited, and I have assumed his role as their new lawyer,” Mr Atta Akyea told the court.
The Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, told the court today, Monday, July 27, that the plea bargain negotiations between the State and Chairman Wontumi in the Exim Bank criminal case are at an advanced stage.
According to the Deputy Attorney General, the Plea bargain talks in Wontumi’s Exim Bank case were derailed by his conviction in a separate criminal case.
Samuel Atta Akyea told the court he has taken over the defence of Wontumi following the withdrawal of the previous counsel, Andy Appiah-Kubi and subsequently requested an adjournment until October to enable the parties to conclude discussions on a possible plea bargain.
Justice Srem-Sai shared the defence’s desire to continue negotiations but proposed a shorter adjournment of 30 days instead of the 90 days.
He revealed that negotiations had progressed significantly before they were interrupted by Wontumi’s conviction.
The Deputy Attorney General told the court, “We have received an offer, and we have made a counteroffer, which we were supposed to conclude last week before the accused person’s conviction in another matter derailed the negotiation”.
“Most importantly, in order not to let disclosures, which we are yet to do, prejudice the plea negotiations, which indeed are far advanced, we would pray that My Lady accepts our waiver of the right to continue with proceedings and rather take a short adjournment to attempt concluding the negotiations before being directed to file our disclosures,” he said.
Atta Akyea agreed with the prosecution’s reasoning but appealed to the court to adjourn the matter until the next legal term in October.
The Judge, however, indicated that the court was guided by the provisions governing plea bargaining and would not halt the trial process.
The judge ruled, “I want to stay within Section 152(c)(5). I will adjourn with the view that the case is proceeding to trial without prejudice to the plea bargain”.
The case was subsequently adjourned to August 27 for further directions.
Meanwhile, some members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) stormed the Accra High Court today, Jul 27, 2026, to show solidarity with Chairman Wontumi.
Among the notable faces were Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the former Majority Leader, Oppong Nkrumah, Sammi Awuku, Dennis Miracles Aboagye, and Nana Akomea.
@ghnow_ Lawyer Atta Akyea takes over Chairman Wontumi Exim Bank Case #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Dennis Miracle Aboagye and Hon. Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu have arrived at the Accra High Court in solidarity with NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi), ahead of the court proceedings. #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
@ghnow_ Lawyer Kwesi Botchway has arrived at the High Court ahead of proceedings involving NPP Ashanti Regional Chairman, Bernard Antwi Boasiako (Chairman Wontumi). #GHnow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
